Amid the uptick in U.S. crime in recent years are new numbers showing an alarming explosion in auto burglaries during which guns are stolen.
The Council on Criminal Justice reported a 31% increase in firearm thefts from vehicles between 2018 and 2022. This sharp rise raises important questions about why so many gun owners are leaving their firearms inside cars rather than carrying them with them. According to many experts, the answer lies in the rise of “gun-free” zones that legally prohibit firearms on certain premises.
The Rise of “Gun-Free” Zones and Their Consequences
In an attempt to reduce violence, many state and local governments have created areas designated as “gun-free” or “sensitive locations.” These include schools, government buildings, places of worship, and some public gathering spaces. While intended to protect the public, these zones often create logistical issues for responsible gun owners.
When people are legally prohibited from bringing firearms into these areas, they’re left with limited options. Most commonly, they leave their weapon locked in their vehicle—whether in a glove box, center console, or trunk. This creates a perfect opportunity for thieves who have figured out that cars parked near these zones are more likely to contain a firearm.
The result? Criminals now target these vehicles, often breaking into them to steal guns, which then fuel further crimes. Instead of making these areas safer, critics argue that gun-free zones are creating environments where criminals can arm themselves easily and without consequence.
Gun Rights Advocates Push Back
Alan Gottlieb, Chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), is one of the more vocal critics of this unintended consequence. In his recent statement, he strongly criticized lawmakers who push for gun-free zones without considering the real-world implications.
“While the report raises alarms about a 31 percent increase of gun thefts from vehicles, it fails to mention a major reason people must leave their firearms in their cars, and that’s the proliferation of ‘gun-free’ zones and ‘sensitive areas,’ all promoted by the same social justice extremists who complain about guns falling into the wrong hands,” Gottlieb said.
He emphasized how unreasonable it is to expect citizens to disarm simply to go about their day-to-day life—whether that’s going to lunch, attending public hearings, or visiting a place of worship. In each of these cases, a person legally carrying a firearm for self-defense may be forced to leave it behind, risking theft.
Is Disarming Citizens Really Making Us Safer?
Critics of “gun-free” zones argue that such laws are rooted in flawed logic. The theory behind them assumes that disarming law-abiding citizens will reduce violence. However, data and recent trends suggest otherwise.
In fact, many point to the growing number of stolen firearms from vehicles as proof that these laws are having the opposite effect. Criminals now have more access to unsecured guns, and law-abiding citizens are rendered defenseless when they need protection most.
“Logic, according to anti-gunners,” said one advocate, “is to disarm good people and provide a risk-free environment for criminals.” The reality, they argue, is that the people who follow the law are being punished, while those with criminal intent face fewer barriers.
As policymakers continue to debate public safety and gun control, many experts are calling for a closer look at the consequences of “gun-free” zones. Until then, Americans may continue to see auto burglaries—and stolen guns—on the rise.
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